Police have stopped a public protest in Bulawayo following calls for a stay away by Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign, which is pressing President Robert Mugabe to step down for allegedly failing to run Zimbabwe.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights the arrested included freelance journalist Crispen Ndlovu, political activists Mthokozisi Ncube, Lenny Kuzwarira, Hampton Maphosa, Plaxedes Denge, Lwandlelubanzi Ndebele and Alfred Dzirutwe said to be members of the Bulawayo Youth Arize.

In some cities, the situation was normal with businesses open as usual and commuter omnibuses ferrying workers, school children and other people from various parts of the country.

Police also arrested some protesters in several Harare suburbs who wanted to stage a public protest to demand Mr. Mugabe to step down.

Some previous protests have been crushed by the police who arrested more than 70 activists, including Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign leader Promise Mkwananzi.

The state has denied Mkwananzi and the other activists bail claiming that they will interfere with witnesses if they are remanded out of custody.

Zimbabwe's economy is declining fast with millions of people failing to find jobs due lack of lines of credit to revive factories, the feared black economic empowerment program compelling foreign owned firms to part with majority stakes, and several other issues.